I used to live in perpetual fear of losing things I had, or
never having the things I hoped to acquire in my life.
What if I lose my hair?
What if I never get the big house I want?
What if I become overweight,
out of shape, or unattractive?
What if I lose my job?
What if I am disabled and
cannot play ball with my grandchildren?
What if I get old and frail and
have nothing to offer those around me?
But life has lessons for those who listen, and now I know:
If I lose my hair, I will be the best darn bald guy I can be,
and I will be grateful that my head can still stimulate ideas,
if not follicles.
A house does not make a person happy. The unhappy heart will not
find contentment in a bigger house, while the heart that is
merry will make any home a happy one.
If I spend more time developing my emotional, mental, and
spiritual dimensions, rather than over-focusing on my physical
self, I will be more beautiful with each passing day.
If I cannot work for wages, I will work for the Lord -- His
benefits package is unmatched.
If I am physically unable to teach my grandchild to throw a
curve ball, I will have more time to teach him to handle the
curves thrown by life, and this shall serve him better.
And if aging robs me of my strength, mental alertness, and
physical stamina, I will offer those around me the strength of
my convictions, the wisdom of experience seasoned with
adversity, and the spiritual stamina of a soul that has been
carefully shaped by the hard edges of a long life.
No matter what losses or broken dreams may lie in my destiny,
whatever burdens shall be my fate, I will meet each challenge
with dignity and resolve. For God has given me many gifts and
talents, and for each one that I may lose, I will find ten more
that I never would have cultivated were the course of my life to
always run smoothly.
And so, when I can no longer dance, I will sing joyfully; when I
haven't the strength to sing, I will whistle with contentment;
when my breath is shallow and weak, I will listen intently and
shout love with my heart; and when the bright light approaches,
I will pray silently until I cannot pray; alas, it will then be
time for me to go to the Lord.
And what then should I fear?
